Author: France 24

As artificial intelligence continues to transform societies worldwide, The 51 Percent asks what does its rapid development mean for women and girls. A surge of AI-powered systems has misogyny baked into their very core, placing women and girls at risk worldwide. We report on how men can now create perfect AI girlfriends. Also how a video, created by AI, was posted to TikTok by the French government to celebrate the 80th anniversary of French women getting the vote in 1945. However, there’s been uproar as the images are mainly of men without even an actual shot of a woman casting her ballot. Plus…

In Iran, at least 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded in Israeli strikes, Iran’s ambassador to the UN said Friday. On Saturday, Iranian state TV said 60 people, including 20 children, were killed in an Israeli strike on a Tehran housing complex.

This week Valérie Fayolle and her team set up their cameras in Rabat, the discreet but radiant capital of Morocco. Writer and poet Tahar Ben Jelloun takes us on a tour of his paintings on display at the Mohammed VI Museum of Contemporary Art. We then go backstage to meet choreographer Salima Moumni. She explores dance as a universal language, promoting emancipation and social cohesion.

After 10 years with Manchester City, Belgian Kevin De Bruyne is moving south to Italy. He will continue to play in a sky-blue shirt, but now with SSC Napoli. Following an illustrious career in Manchester, the 33-year-old is embarking on a new chapter that will be watched closely.

This week, we take you to Vivatech in Paris. The event bills itself as the biggest tech and startup event in Europe. The tech industry is the driving force for growth in the world economy, but Europe only represents a small share of it. Is Europe lagging behind in the race for artificial intelligence? Why are there no tech giants the size of Google or Apple on the continent? Our Business Editor Charles Pellegrin meets with French and German startups, as well as with Estonian Energy and Environment Minister Andres Sutt, who was previously the country’s minister for entrepreneurship and innovation. 

Israel attacked Iran in strikes that took out top military officers and hit nuclear and missile sites, raising the potential for an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries. For in-depth and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24’s François Picard welcomes Alon Pinkas, Author, former  Israeli diplomat, and former Policy Advisor to Shimon Peres and Ehud Barak. To better understand what led to Israel’s major attack on Iran’s nuclear sites, Mr. Pinkas highlights that “Iran has been accelerating its enrichment process because Netanyahu encouraged Trump to withdraw unilaterally from the 2015 (JCPOA) nuclear deal.”

Brian Wilson, leader of the US rock band the Beach Boys, has died aged 82, his family announced on Wednesday. Wilson was one of the world’s most influential recording artists, with writing credits on “Good Vibrations,” “California Girls” and other classic summertime anthems.

Senegal became the first African team to ever beat England, securing a 3-1 victory in a friendly match in Nottingham. It was England’s first defeat under Thomas Tuchel since he took charge in January, casting doubt over his suitability for the role.

Fresh analysis from LinkedIn shows the rate of women hired into leadership positions has slowed for the third year in a row, leaving the hiring rate back where it was in 2020. The data shows women are being shut out of senior positions, holding less than a third of top roles despite making up almost half of the global workforce. Sue Duke, LinkedIn’s Global VP of Public Policy discusses some of the solutions that would help reverse this decline.

Israeli NGO Adalah rights group said on Thursday that six more activists detained aboard a boat attempting to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza were en route to the airport for deportation. French MEP Rima Hassan, who is of Palestinian descent, is among the group to be imminently expelled.